Abad’s lawmaker wife hits back at critics | Inquirer News

Abad’s lawmaker wife hits back at critics

/ 08:03 PM September 25, 2014

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The lawmaker wife of Budget Secretary Florencio Abad hit back at her critics who accused her of being favored by her husband in the allocation of funds from Aquino’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Batanes Rep. Henedina Abad was cited on the list of opposition congressman Toby Tiangco as being the sixth largest DAP beneficiary with P176.6 million.

Article continues after this advertisement

Mrs. Abad said she has never asked her husband for DAP funds.

FEATURED STORIES

“We rarely see each other. The time we are together, we don’t want to talk about work anymore. But of course nobody will believe that,” Mrs. Abad said.

She denied being a favorite of Abad in budget allocation.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Nahihiya nga ako humingi eh. But (the constituents) come to us (for help),” Mrs. Abad said.

Article continues after this advertisement

She also lamented being always identified as the wife of the budget secretary.

Article continues after this advertisement

“That is not sometimes fair. I am always identified the wife. Sometimes they forget my name,” Mrs. Abad said on Thursday.

She appealed to critics to be fair in their comments about her.

Article continues after this advertisement

“It’s part of the job, being in the administration. Sana, be fair in framing the issue. Minsan character assassination na eh,” Mrs. Abad said.

DAP, Budget Secretary Abad’s brainchild, is meant to stimulate the economy by impounding savings. It was perceived as Malacañang’s version of the pork barrel.

The Supreme Court declared some practices under DAP unconstitutional. Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who is detained over the pork barrel scam, had also bared in a privilege speech that funds from DAP were given as incentives to senators who voted to convict ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Navotas Rep. Tiangco’s list of legislators who were the top DAP beneficiaries was based on the DAP documents uploaded in the Department of Budget and Management website.

The top two recipients based on the list are Liberal Party high ranking officials – former Cavite lawmaker now Transportation Secretary and LP Acting President Joseph Abaya (P408 million), followed by Liberal Party vice chair Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (P297.5 million).

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

All of the top 10 belonged to the ruling Liberal Party. Many recipients were also allied with the President.

TAGS: Nation, News

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.